Knife with push button assisted-open mechanism

ABSTRACT

A folding utility with a push button assisted-open mechanism is disclosed. The folding utility tool comprising a handle comprising at least two handle sides spaced apart and defining a tool cavity therebetween; a tool arm pivotally connected to the handle, wherein the tool arm comprises a drive pin connected to and extending out from a side of the tool arm; a toggle component pivotally connected to at least one of the at least two handle sides, wherein the toggle component comprises a retaining notch; and a spring comprising an arcuate segment along a longitudinal axis of the spring, wherein the spring is coupled to at least one of the at least two handle sides at one end and the toggle component at another end, wherein the drive pin is positioned within the retaining notch when at least part of the tool arm is folded into the tool cavity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/165,859 filed on May 26, 2016, the content of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of folding utilitytools, and, more specifically, to a folding utility tool with a pushbutton assisted-open mechanism.

BACKGROUND

Folding knives with assisted-open mechanisms are widely used by hunters,carpenters, and outdoor enthusiasts for their portability and safehandling when folded. Traditional assisted-open folding knives typicallycontain a knife blade having a protrusion such as a stud, pin, oroversized tang extending out from an exposed portion of the knife bladewhen the folding knife is in a closed position. When deploying suchknives, a user typically pushes on the protrusion to actuate the knifeblade.

However, such traditional assisted-open folding knives are oftendifficult to maneuver and may harm the user's fingers or hands when theuser is unfamiliar with the operation of the assisted-open mechanism.For example, some assisted-open folding knives may require the user toplace the user's thumb dangerously close to the blade of the knife inorder to actuate the knife blade. In addition, the knife blade of suchassisted-open folding knives can be difficult to deploy and may requirethe user to hold the handle of the knife with one hand and pull on theknife blade with the user's other hand in order to fully deploy theknife blade. In other cases, some assisted-open folding knives may bedeployed on accident when a part of the user's body or an object brushesagainst the protrusion on the knife blade.

Therefore, a solution is needed which allows the user to easily andsafely actuate the knife blade of an assisted-open folding knife withone hand. Such a solution should be intuitive to understand for noviceusers and should provide features that prevent the knife blade frominadvertently actuating when the folding knife is in a user's pocket orotherwise being carried in transit.

SUMMARY

A folding knife with a push button assisted-open mechanism is disclosed.In one embodiment, the folding knife can include a handle having atleast two handle sides spaced apart. The two handle sides can define ablade cavity in between the two handle sides. A blade can be pivotallyconnected to the handle. The blade can have a drive pin connected to andextending out from a side of the blade. A toggle component can bepivotally connected to at least one of the two handle sides at a pivotpin. The toggle component can have a retaining notch defined along anedge of the toggle component. The folding knife can include a springhaving an arcuate segment or a bended segment along a longitudinal axisof the spring.

The spring can be coupled to at least one of the two handle sides at oneend and the toggle component at the other end. The spring can be atension spring comprising at least one coiled segment, the arcuatesegment, and one or more straight segments. The drive pin of the bladecan be positioned within the retaining notch when at least part of theblade is folded into the blade cavity.

The folding knife can also include a clearance slot defined along atleast one of the two handle sides and part of the drive pin can projectthrough the clearance slot. The toggle component can also include abutton top. The toggle component can rotate in a toggle rotationaldirection (e.g., a counterclockwise direction) in response to a forceapplied to the button top by a user of the folding knife in thedirection of the handle bottom. The blade can be deployed out of theblade cavity in a blade rotational direction (e.g., a clockwisedirection) in response to the rotation of the toggle component. Thetoggle rotational direction can be counter to the blade rotationaldirection. The drive pin can move within the clearance slot as the bladeis rotated. The retaining notch can be defined in part by a toggle noseof the toggle component and the blade can be deployed when the togglenose actuates or biases the drive pin of the blade when the togglecomponent is rotated in the toggle rotational direction.

The spring can pull the toggle component in a first rotational direction(e.g., a clockwise direction) when the folding knife is in a foldedconfiguration. The spring can also pull the toggle component in a secondrotational direction (e.g., a counterclockwise direction) when thefolding knife is in an open configuration. In these embodiments, thefirst rotational direction can be counter to the second rotationaldirection. The spring can pull the toggle component in the secondrotational direction when the toggle component passes an over-centerposition in response to a force applied to the button top by a user ofthe folding knife in the direction of the handle bottom. The arcuatesegment of the spring can partially surround or encompass the pivot pinwhen the spring pulls the toggle component in the first rotationaldirection.

The handle can further include at least one outer handle side and atleast two inner handle sides. The toggle component can be positioned inbetween the at least one outer handle side and one of the inner handlesides.

The blade of the folding knife can also include a partial tang and thepartial tang can rotate in between the at least two inner handle sideswithout protruding from a handle top of the handle.

The folding knife can further include a locking slide bar coupled to alocking slide pin. The locking slide pin can prevent the togglecomponent from rotating when the locking slide pin contacts and pushesagainst a locking notch defined along an edge of the toggle component.

Also disclosed is an embodiment of a folding utility tool. The foldingutility tool can include a handle having at least two handle sidesspaced apart. The two handle sides can define a tool cavity in betweenthe two handle sides. A tool arm can be pivotally connected to thehandle. The tool arm can have a drive pin connected to and extending outfrom a side of the tool arm. A toggle component can be pivotallyconnected to at least one of the two handle sides at a pivot pin. Thetoggle component can have a retaining notch defined along an edge of thetoggle component. The folding utility tool can include a spring havingan arcuate or arc-like segment or a bended segment along a longitudinalaxis of the spring.

The spring can be coupled to at least one of the two handle sides at oneend and the toggle component at the other end. The spring can be atension spring comprising at least one coiled segment, the arcuatesegment, and one or more straight segments. The drive pin of the toolarm can be positioned within the retaining notch when at least part ofthe tool arm is folded into the tool cavity.

The folding utility tool can also include a clearance slot defined alongat least one of the two handle sides and part of the drive pin canproject through the clearance slot. The toggle component can alsoinclude a button top. The toggle component can rotate in a togglerotational direction (e.g., a counterclockwise direction) in response toa force applied to the button top by a user of the folding utility toolin the direction of the handle bottom. The tool arm can be deployed outof the tool cavity in an arm rotational direction (e.g., a clockwisedirection) in response to the rotation of the toggle component. Thetoggle rotational direction can be counter to the arm rotationaldirection. The drive pin can move within the clearance slot as the toolarm is rotated. The retaining notch can be defined in part by a togglenose of the toggle component and the tool arm can be deployed when thetoggle nose actuates or biases the drive pin of the tool arm when thetoggle component is rotated in the toggle rotational direction.

The spring can pull the toggle component in a first rotational direction(e.g., a clockwise direction) when the folding utility tool is in afolded configuration. The spring can also pull the toggle component in asecond rotational direction (e.g., a counterclockwise direction) whenthe folding utility tool is in an open configuration. In theseembodiments, the first rotational direction can be counter to the secondrotational direction. The spring can pull the toggle component in thesecond rotational direction when the toggle component passes anover-center position in response to a force applied to the button top bya user of the folding utility tool in the direction of the handlebottom. The arcuate segment of the spring can partially surround orencompass the pivot pin when the spring pulls the toggle component inthe first rotational direction.

The handle can further include at least one outer handle side and atleast two inner handle sides. The toggle component can be positioned inbetween the at least one outer handle side and one of the inner handlesides.

The folding utility tool can include a tool head coupled to the toolarm. The tool head can include a part of a screwdriver, a fork, a spoon,a toothpick, a flossing tool, a corkscrew, a bottle opener, or a canopener. The tool head can be folded into the tool cavity when thefolding utility tool is in the folded configuration.

The folding utility tool can further include a locking slide bar coupledto a locking slide pin. The locking slide pin can prevent the togglecomponent from rotating when the locking slide pin contacts and pushesagainst a locking notch defined along an edge of the toggle component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of afolding knife with a push button assisted-open mechanism.

FIG. 2A illustrates a left side view of the folding knife of FIG. 1assembled and closed into a folded configuration with an outer handleside removed.

FIG. 2B illustrates the folding knife of FIG. 2A with a blade of thefolding knife beginning to deploy.

FIG. 2C illustrates the folding knife of FIG. 2A with the blade of thefolding knife in mid-deployment.

FIG. 2D illustrates the folding knife of FIG. 2A in an openconfiguration.

FIG. 2E illustrates another embodiment of the folding knife with abutton top of the folding knife obscured by a handle top.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top plan view of the folding knife of FIG. 1 in anassembled state and open configuration.

FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up side view of the assisted-open mechanismof the folding knife of FIG. 1 in an assembled state and openconfiguration.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic of a toggle component and spring of theassisted-open mechanism in operation.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a folding utility tool in an openconfiguration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a folding knife 100with a push button assisted-open mechanism in one or more embodiments.In one embodiment, the folding knife 100 can include a handle 104 havinga first outer handle side 114, a first inner handle side 116, a secondinner handle side 118, and a second outer handle side 120. In otherembodiments, the folding knife 100 can include additional handle sidesor handle adornments in between the aforementioned handle sides orattached to such handle sides. The handle 104 can include a handle top166 and a handle bottom 168.

The handle bottom 168 can be a portion of the handle 104 configured toreceive the fingers of a user when the user grips the handle 104 in ahandshake grip. For example, the handle bottom 168 can be defined by oneor more handle grooves, finger holds, or grips along an edge of thehandle bottom 168. The handle top 166 can be a portion of the handle 104configured to receive the palm of the user when the user grips thehandle 104 in the handshake grip. The handle top 166 can be defined byone or more divots, dips, or cutouts allowing a user to access acomponent of the folding knife 100 in between the handle sides. Thehandle 104 can also include a base end and a blade end opposite the baseend.

The handle 104 including the first outer handle side 114, the firstinner handle side 116, the second inner handle side 118, and the secondouter handle side 120 can have a plurality of handle bores 122 or boreholes along a length of the handle 104 in between the base end and theblade end. The first outer handle side 114, the first inner handle side116, the second inner handle side 118, and the second outer handle side120 can each have the same handle bores 122 aligned laterally so afastener 162 or pin threads through the laterally aligned handle bores122 to attach or couple the first outer handle side 114 to the firstinner handle side 116, the first inner handle side 116 to the secondinner handle side 118, and the second inner handle side 118 to thesecond outer handle side 120.

Each of the first outer handle side 114, the first inner handle side116, the second inner handle side 118, and the second outer handle side120 can be shaped similar to one another and can serve as one piece orlayer of the handle 104. For example, the first outer handle side 114and the second outer handle side 120 can serve as the outer covering ofthe handle 104 and the first inner handle side 116 and the second innerhandle side 118 can serve as the inner layers of the handle 104.

The handle 104 can be fabricated from or comprise a polymer, a metal,wood or other organic material, a ceramic, or a composite thereof. Forexample, the handle 104 can be fabricated from or comprise acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, polycarbonate, polypropylene, rubber,or a combination thereof. Also, for example, the handle 104 can befabricated from or comprise stainless steel, titanium, an alloy thereof,or any combination therewith.

The first inner handle side 116 can be coupled to the second innerhandle side 118 by a plurality of fasteners 162 or pins and can define ablade cavity 300 (see FIG. 3) in between the first inner handle side 116and the second inner handle side 118. The fasteners 162 can includescrews, bolts, nuts, washers, pins, flanges, spacers, or a combinationthereof.

The handle bores 122 can comprise a plurality of handle axle bores 124.The folding knife 100 can comprise a blade 102 pivotally connected tothe handle 104 at the plurality of handle axle bores 124. The blade 102can have a blade axle bore 112 and the blade 102 can pivot or rotatearound a blade axle 160 thread through the handle axle bores 124 and theblade axle bore 112. In some embodiments, the blade axle 160 can be arod or pin serving as part of a fastener 162.

The blade 102 can have a drive pin 110 connected to and extending orprojecting out from a surface of the blade 102. The blade surface havingthe drive pin 110 can be referred to as the pin side 164 of the blade102. In one embodiment, the drive pin 110 can extend or project outorthogonally from the pin side 164 of the blade 102. In someembodiments, the pin side 164 of the blade 102 can also have a thumbstud 108 connected to and extending or projecting out from the bladesurface. In one embodiment, the thumb stud 108 can be positioned abovethe drive pin 110 or proximal to the handle top 166 relative to thedrive pin 110. In other embodiments not shown in the figures, the thumbstud 108 can be positioned below the drive pin 110 or proximal to thehandle bottom 168 relative to the drive pin 110.

The blade 102 can be fabricated from or comprise a metal, a polymer, ora composite thereof. For example, the blade 102 can be fabricated fromor comprise stainless steel. In other embodiments, the blade 102 can befabricated from or comprise carbon steel, cobalt, titanium, ceramics, oralloys thereof. In additional embodiments, the blade 102 can befabricated from or comprise a polymer such as ABS plastic,polycarbonate, or a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the folding knife 100 can have a clearance slot 154defined along the first inner handle side 116. In other embodiments, thefolding knife 100 can have multiple clearance slots 154 defined alongthe first inner handle side 116, the first outer handle side 114, thesecond inner handle side 118, the second outer handle side 120, or acombination thereof. In these embodiments, the multiple clearance slots154 can be laterally aligned.

The clearance slot 154 can be an arcuate or substantially arch-shapedclearance slot as shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 4. In otherembodiments, the clearance slot 154 can be an opening shaped as a circleor half-circle.

At least a portion of the drive pin 110 can be located within theclearance slot 154 while other portions of the drive pin 110 can projector extend through the clearance slot 154 as the blade 102 pivotallyrotates around the blade axle 160.

The folding knife 100 can include a toggle component 132 pivotallyconnected to the handle 104 at a pivot pin 148. In one embodiment, thetoggle component 132 can be pivotally connected to the first innerhandle side 116, the first outer handle side 114, or a combinationthereof.

The toggle component 132 can have a button top 134, a toggle nose 136,or a combination thereof. The toggle component 132 also can have aretaining notch 150 and a locking notch 152 defined along an edge of thetoggle component 132. In one embodiment, the retaining notch 150 and thelocking notch 152 can be defined along the same edge of the togglecomponent 132. In some embodiments, the toggle component 132 can besubstantially shaped as a trapezoid. For example, the toggle component132 can be shaped as an acute or obtuse trapezoid having a thicknessbetween 1.0 mm and 5.0 mm. In other embodiments, the toggle component132 can be shaped as a triangle, a rectangle, a rhombus or diamond, or aparallelogram.

The button top 134 can be a portion of the toggle component 132projecting out from the handle top 166. The button top 134 can be aportion of the toggle component 132 perpendicular to the substantiallytrapezoidal body of the toggle component 132. For example, the buttontop 134 can jut out from the trapezoidal body of the toggle component132 and act as an overhang covering or obscuring a portion of the handletop 166. In another embodiment, the button top 134 can be flush with thehandle top 166 when the folding knife 100 is in a folded configuration200 (see FIG. 2A).

A user of the folding knife 100 can press on the button top 134 toactuate and deploy the blade 102. The button top 134 can translate aforce applied to the button top 134 in the direction of the handlebottom 166 to the rest of the toggle component 132 and the force canrotate the toggle component 132 in a rotational direction such as acounterclockwise direction when viewed from the first outer handle side114 to the second outer handle side 120.

The toggle component 132 can be pivotally connected to the handle 104 ator near a vertex or corner of the toggle component 132. When the togglecomponent 132 is substantially shaped as a trapezoid, the togglecomponent 132 can be pivotally connected to the handle 104 at an acutevertex or corner of the base of the trapezoid. In this embodiment, theretaining notch 150 of the toggle component 132 can be defined at theother acute vertex or corner of the base of the trapezoid.

The retaining notch 150 can be defined by the toggle nose 136 and thebase edge of the toggle component 132. The toggle nose 136 can extend orprotrude out past the retaining notch 150. In other embodiments, theretaining notch 150 can be a groove or divot defined along a side edgeof the toggle component 132.

The drive pin 110 can be positioned within the retaining notch 150 whenthe blade 102 is folded into the blade cavity 300 and the folding knife100 is in the folded configuration 200. The blade 102 can be deployedout of the blade cavity 300 in response to the rotation of the togglecomponent 132. The toggle nose 136 can actuate the drive pin 110 of theblade 102 by pushing on the portion of the drive pin 110 projectingthrough the clearance slot 154. The toggle nose 136 can push the drivepin 110 further into the clearance slot 154. The trajectory of the drivepin 110 can follow the shape of the clearance slot 154 as the togglenose 136 pushes the drive pin 110 toward the blade end of the handle104.

The blade 102 can be deployed when the movement of the drive pin 110rotates the blade 102 in a rotational direction counter to the rotationof the toggle component 132. For example, the toggle component 132 canrotate in a counterclockwise direction which, in turn, causes the blade102 to rotate out of the blade cavity 300 in a clockwise direction. Therotation of the toggle component 132 will be discussed in more detail inthe following sections.

In one embodiment, the toggle component 132 can be positioned in betweenthe first outer handle side 114 and the first inner handle side 116. Inthis embodiment, the clearance slot 154 can be defined along the surfaceof the first inner handle side 116 and the drive pin can projectorthogonally out of the blade surface toward the first outer handle side114.

In other embodiments not shown in the figures, the toggle component 132can be positioned in between the second outer handle side 120 and thesecond inner handle side 118. In these embodiments, the clearance slot154 can be defined along the surface of the second inner handle side 118and the drive pin 110 can project orthogonally out of the other bladesurface toward the second outer handle side 120. These embodiments allowthe folding knife 100 to be used or operated by left-handed orambidextrous users.

As seen in FIG. 1, the blade 102 can comprise a tang 106. The tang 106can be a partial tang such as a half or quarter tang. The partial tangcan rotate in between the first inner handle side 116 and the secondinner handle side 118 without the tang 106 projecting from the handletop 166. In addition, the tang 106 of the blade 102 can be obscured orcovered by the handle 104 including the first outer handle side 114 andthe second outer handle side 120 when the folding knife 100 is in eitherthe folded configuration 200 or an open configuration 204 (see FIG. 2D).The blade 102 can rotate until a part of the blade 102 makes contactwith a stop pin 156.

Although not shown in the figures, it is contemplated by this disclosurethat the folding knife 100 can comprise a liner lock coupled to thefirst inner handle side 116 or the second inner handle side 118. Theliner lock can spring out laterally from the inner handle side when theblade 102 is at least partially deployed from the blade cavity 300 and atip or end of the liner lock can contact or jam against the tang 106 ofthe blade 102 to lock the blade 102 into place when the folding knife100 is in the open configuration 204.

The folding knife 100 can also comprise a spring 138 having an arcuatesegment 140 or portion along a longitudinal axis 508 (see FIG. 5) of thespring 138. The spring 138 can be fabricated from or comprise a metal, apolymer, or a composite thereof. For example, the spring 138 can befabricated from or comprise stainless steel. In other embodiments, thespring 138 can be fabricated from or comprise a shape memory materialsuch as Nitinol. In additional embodiments, the spring 138 can befabricated from or comprise a polymer.

The spring 138 can be coupled to at least one of the first inner handleside 116 and the first outer handle side 114 at one end of the spring138. The spring 138 can be coupled to at least one of the first innerhandle side 116 and the first outer handle side 114 at a first innerhandle site 142 by one or more securement pins 146. The spring 138 canalso be coupled to the toggle component 132 at the other end of thespring 138 at a toggle site 144 by one or more securement pins 146.

The spring 138 can have one or more coiled segments 400 (see FIG. 4),one or more straight segments, and the arcuate segment 140. The spring138 can be a tension spring. The arcuate segment 140 of the spring 138can partially surround the pivot pin 148 about which the togglecomponent 132 rotates. The arcuate segment 140 can partially surroundthe pivot pin 148 when the folding knife 100 is in the foldedconfiguration 200.

The folding knife 100 can also comprise a locking mechanism. The lockingmechanism can include a locking slide bar 128 having a locking slide pin130 projecting out from a surface of the locking bar 128. The lockingslide pin 130 can lock the toggle component 132 by preventing the togglecomponent 132 from rotating when the locking slide pin 130 contacts oris partially encompassed by the locking notch 152 of the togglecomponent 132. The locking slide bar 128, the locking slide pin 130, ora portion therein can be positioned within a lock opening 126 and canslide longitudinally within the lock opening 126. The locking slide pin130 can extend out orthogonally from an inner surface of the lockingslide bar 128 and project through the lock opening 126 to contact thelocking notch of the toggle component 132. A user can push the lockingslide bar 128 in the direction of the blade end of the handle 104 todisengage the locking mechanism and allow the toggle component 132 torotate about the pivot pin 148.

FIG. 2A illustrates a left side view of an assembled folding knife 100in a folded configuration 200. The first outer handle side 114 of thefolding knife 100 has been removed in this view to expose the togglecomponent 132. As shown in FIG. 2A, the drive pin 110 can be within orpartially surrounded by the retaining notch 150 of the toggle component132 when the folding knife 100 is in the folded configuration 200. Inaddition, a portion of the blade 102, including the blade tip, can behoused in the blade cavity 300 when the folding knife 100 is in thefolded configuration 200. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the thumbstud 108 can be visible when the folding knife 100 is in the foldedconfiguration 200.

Moreover, the locking slide bar 128, the locking slide pin 130, or acombination thereof can lock the toggle component 132 by preventing thetoggle component 132 from rotating about the pivot pin 148. The lockingslide bar 128, the locking slide pin 130, or a portion therein, can belocated within the locking notch 152 when the folding knife 100 is inthe folded configuration 200. As will be discussed in more detail in thefollowing sections, the spring 138 can pull the toggle component 132 ina clockwise rotational direction (as viewed in the direction of thesecond inner handle side 118 from the first inner handle side 116) whenthe drive pin 110 is housed within the retaining notch 150. Moreover, bypulling the toggle component 132 in the clockwise rotational direction,the button top 134 of the toggle component 132 can protrude past thehandle top 166, allowing a user of the folding knife 100 to push on thebutton top 134 to deploy the blade 102.

FIG. 2A also illustrates that the tang 106 of the blade 102 does notprotrude out of or past the handle top 166 when the folding knife 100 isin the folded configuration 200.

FIG. 2B illustrates the folding knife 100 of FIG. 2A with the blade 102beginning to deploy. As shown in FIG. 2B, the blade 102 can be deployedout of the blade cavity 300 in a blade rotational direction 202. Theblade rotational direction 202 can be a clockwise direction as viewed inthe direction of the second inner handle side 118 from the first innerhandle side 116. As shown in FIG. 2B, the drive pin 110 can be forced bythe toggle nose 136 out of the retaining notch 150 and along atrajectory following the shape of the clearance slot 154. The blade 102can be deployed out of the blade cavity 300 in response to a userpressing down on the button top 134 of the toggle component 132. Theuser can press the button top 134 to cause the toggle component 132 torotate in a toggle rotational direction 504 (see FIG. 5). The togglerotational direction 504 can be a counterclockwise direction as viewedin the direction of the second inner handle side 118 from the firstinner handle side 116. The toggle rotational direction 504 can becounter to the blade rotational direction 202. Moreover, FIG. 2B showsthat the spring 138 can pull the toggle component 132 in acounterclockwise rotational direction (as viewed in the direction of thesecond inner handle side 118 from the first inner handle side 116).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the button top 134 can protrude orextend beyond the handle top 166. In other embodiments not shown in FIG.2A, the button top 134 can be flush with the handle top 166 and thehandle top 166 can be defined by a divot or cut-out portion allowing auser access to the button top 134.

FIG. 2C illustrates the folding knife 100 of FIG. 2A with the blade 102of the folding knife 100 in mid-deployment. As shown in FIG. 2C, thedrive pin 110 can be positioned further along the curve of the clearanceslot 154. The drive pin 110 can be carried further along the curve ofthe clearance slot 154 by the rotational motion of the blade 102, theforce exerted on the drive pin 110 by the toggle nose 136, or acombination thereof. For example, the toggle nose 136 can exert a forceon the drive pin 110 as the spring 138 pulls the toggle component 132 inthe counterclockwise rotational direction.

The blade 102 of the folding knife 100 can be automatically deployed upto this point in its rotational trajectory in response to the userpushing on the button top 134 of the toggle component 132. At thispoint, the user can further deploy the blade 102 and guide the foldingknife 100 into the open configuration 204 of FIG. 2D by using the thumbstud 108 of the blade 102. The design of the folding knife 100,including the tension of the spring 138 and the shapes of the togglecomponent 132 and clearance slot 154, can be configured to prevent theblade 102 from being fully deployed in response to the user pressing onthe button top 134 of the toggle component 132. This design allows thefolding knife 100 to function as an assisted-open knife rather than aswitchblade (which is outlawed by certain U.S. and internationaljurisdictions).

FIG. 2D illustrates the folding knife 100 of FIG. 2A in an openconfiguration 204. As shown in FIG. 2D, the drive pin 110 can be locatedat an opposite end of the clearance slot 154 from its initial startingpoint. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2D, a portion of the button top134 can be sunk into the handle top 166 when the folding knife 100 is inthe open configuration 204. The spring 138 can pull the toggle component132 in a counterclockwise rotational direction when the folding knife100 is in the open configuration 204.

FIGS. 2B, 2C, and 2D also show that the tang 106 of the blade 102 can bea partial tang. The partial tang can rotate in between the first innerhandle side 116 and the second inner handle side 118 when the blade 102rotates in the blade rotational direction 202. In one or moreembodiments, the partial tang can rotate in between the first innerhandle side 116 and the second inner handle side 118 without the partialtang protruding from the handle top 166.

FIG. 2E illustrates another embodiment of the folding knife 100 with thebutton top 134 of the toggle component 132 below the handle top 166 orobscured by the handle top 166 in response to a user pressing on thebutton top 134. For example, a user can press on the button top 134 ofthe toggle component 132 to deploy the blade 102. The button top 134 ofthe toggle component 132 can be below or obscured by the handle top 166when the spring pulls the toggle component 132 in a second rotationaldirection 502 (see FIG. 5). The spring 138 can pull the toggle component132 in the second rotational direction 502 when the toggle component 132has passed an over-center position 510 (see FIG. 5). The togglecomponent 132 can be inaccessible to a user of the folding knife 100when the button top 134 is below or obscured by the handle top 166.

Once the button top 134 is below the handle top 166, the togglecomponent 132 can rotate in a first rotational direction 500 (see FIG.5) to return the toggle component 132 to its original position when theblade 102 is folded back into the blade cavity 300 (See FIG. 3). Whenthe blade is folded back into the blade cavity 300, the drive pin 110 ofthe blade 102 can push back on the toggle component 132, including theretaining notch 150 of the toggle component 132, the toggle nose 136, ora combination thereof to rotate the toggle component 132 in the firstrotational direction 500. The button top 134 can once again beaccessible to the user of the folding knife 100 when the togglecomponent 132 is being pulled by the spring 138 in the first rotationaldirection 500.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top plan view of the folding knife 100 of FIG. 1 inan assembled state. FIG. 3 shows that the first inner handle side 116can be spaced apart from the second inner handle side 118 and define ablade cavity 300 in between the first inner handle side 116 and thesecond inner handle side 118. Moreover, FIG. 3 shows that the togglecomponent 132 and the spring 138 can be housed in between the firstouter handle side 114 and the first inner handle side 116.

Although not shown in FIG. 3, it is contemplated by this disclosure thatthe folding knife 100 can comprise a liner lock coupled to the firstinner handle side 116 or the second inner handle side 118. The linerlock can spring out laterally from the inner handle side when the blade102 is at least partially deployed from the blade cavity 300 and a tipor end of the liner lock can contact or jam against the tang 106 of theblade 102 to lock the blade 102 into place when the folding knife 100 isin the open configuration 204.

FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up side view of the assisted-open mechanismof the folding knife 100 of FIG. 1 in an assembled state. Theassisted-open mechanism can comprise, but is not limited to, the togglecomponent 132, the spring 138, the pivot pin 148, the drive pin 110, theclearance slot 154, the locking slide bar 128, and the locking slide pin130.

FIG. 4 also illustrates that the spring 138 can have at least one coiledsegment 400, the arcuate segment 140, and one or more straight segments.The spring 138 can be coupled to the toggle component 132 at the togglesite 144. The spring 138 can be coupled to the toggle site 144 at oneend of the spring 138. The spring 138 can also be coupled to the firstinner handle side 116 at the first inner handle site 142. The spring canbe coupled to the first inner handle site 142 at the other end of thespring 138.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic of the toggle component 132 and thespring 138 of the assisted-open mechanism in operation. The spring 138can pull the toggle component 132 in a first rotational direction 500(e.g., a clockwise direction when viewed in the direction of the firstinner handle side 116 from the first outer handle side 114) when thefolding knife 100 is in the folded configuration 200. As shown in FIG.5, the spring 138 can have a longitudinal axis 508. The longitudinalaxis 508 can be a line running along a length of the spring 138 and usedto orient the spring 138. When the spring 138 is connected to the togglecomponent 132 and the first inner handle side 116, the longitudinal axis508 can be a line running from the first inner handle site 142 to thetoggle site 144. As seen in the figures, the arcuate segment 140 of thespring 138 can be below the longitudinal axis 508 (when viewed in thedirection of the first inner handle side 116 from the first outer handleside 114). Also, when the folding knife 100 is in the foldedconfiguration 200, the longitudinal axis 508 can be above the pivot pin148 when the spring 138 is pulling the toggle component 132 in the firstrotational direction 500. The arcuate segment 140 of the spring 138allows the spring 138 to pull the toggle component 132 in the firstrotational direction 500 (e.g., a clockwise direction when viewed in thedirection of the first inner handle side 116 from the first outer handleside 114) without the spring 138 being hindered by the pivot pin 148.The arcuate segment 140 of the spring 138 can partially surround orencompass the pivot pin 148 when the spring 138 pulls the togglecomponent 132 in the first rotational direction 500.

As shown in FIG. 5, the toggle component 132, when pulled by the spring138, can also have an over-center position 510. The over-center position510 can be a point along the rotational trajectory of the togglecomponent 132 where the spring 138 pulls the toggle component 132 in asecond rotational direction 502 (e.g., a counterclockwise direction whenviewed in the direction of the first inner handle side 116 from thefirst outer handle side 114) rather than the first rotational direction500. In one embodiment, the over-center position 510 can be representedby a line extending from the first inner handle site 142 to the pivotpin 148.

The spring 138 can pull the toggle component 132 in the secondrotational direction 502 when the longitudinal axis 508 of the spring138 falls below the over-center position 510 when viewed in thedirection of the first inner handle side 116 from the first outer handleside 114. The spring 138 can pull the toggle component 132 in the secondrotational direction 502 when the folding knife 100 is in the openconfiguration 204. In these embodiments, the second rotational direction502 can be counter to the first rotational direction 500.

The spring 138 can automatically switch from pulling the togglecomponent 132 in the first rotational direction 500 to pulling thetoggle component 132 in the second rotational direction 502 when thetoggle component 132 passes the over-center position 510 in response toa force applied to the button top 134 by a user of the folding knife 100in the direction of the handle bottom 168. For example, the user canapply a force in a downward direction 506 as shown in FIG. 5. Once thetoggle component 132 passes the over-center position 510, the force ofthe spring 138 pulling on the toggle site 144 in the second rotationaldirection 502 (e.g., counterclockwise) is translated by the toggle nose136 into a pushing force on the drive pin 110 to rotate the blade 102 inthe blade rotational direction 202 (e.g., clockwise).

For example, a user can press or push on the button top 134 of thetoggle component 132 to initiate the deployment of the blade 102. Inresponse to a force being applied in the downward direction 506, thetoggle component 132 can cause the blade 102 to rotate to approximately21 degrees from a starting position parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe folding knife 100. Once the blade 102 is rotated to 21 degrees, thespring 138 can take over and pull the toggle component 132 in the secondrotational direction 502. The pulling of the toggle component 132 in thesecond rotational direction 502 can cause the blade 102 to rotate toapproximately 45 degrees from a starting position parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the folding knife 100. Once the blade 102 isrotated to approximately 45 degrees, the user can use the thumb stud 108or apply a force to the blade 102 to rotate the blade to the openconfiguration 204.

FIG. 6 illustrates a folding utility tool 600 in one or moreembodiments. The folding utility tool 600 can include a handle 104comprising a first inner handle side 116 spaced apart from a secondinner handle side 118 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). The first inner handle side116 and the second inner handle side 118 can define a tool cavity inbetween the two handle sides. A tool arm 602 can be pivotally connectedto the handle 104. The tool arm 602 can have a drive pin 110 connectedto and extending or projecting out from a side of the tool arm 602. Atoggle component 132 can be pivotally connected to at least one of thetwo handle sides at a pivot pin 148. The toggle component 132 can have aretaining notch 150 defined along an edge of the toggle component 132.

The folding utility tool 600 can include a spring 138 having an arcuateor arc-like segment 140 or a bended segment along a longitudinal axis508 of the spring 138. The spring 138 can be coupled to at least one ofthe two handle sides at a first inner handle site 142 at one end of thespring 138 and the toggle component at a toggle site 144 at the otherend of the spring 138. The spring 138 can be a tension spring comprisingat least one coiled segment 140, the arcuate segment 140, and one ormore straight segments. The drive pin 110 of the tool arm 602 can bepositioned within the retaining notch 150 when at least part of the toolarm 602 is folded into the tool cavity.

The folding utility tool 600 can also include a clearance slot 154defined along the first inner handle side 116 (see FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C,2D, and 4) and part of the drive pin can project through the clearanceslot. The toggle component can also include a button top 134. The togglecomponent 132 can rotate in a toggle rotational direction 504 (e.g., acounterclockwise direction) in response to a force applied to the buttontop 134 by a user of the folding utility tool 600 in the direction ofthe handle bottom 166. The tool arm 602 can be deployed out of the toolcavity in an arm rotational direction 606 (e.g., a clockwise direction)in response to the rotation of the toggle component 132. The togglerotational direction 504 can be counter to the arm rotational direction606. The drive pin 110 can move within the clearance slot 154 as thetool arm 602 is rotated. The retaining notch 150 can be defined in partby a toggle nose 136 of the toggle component 132 and the tool arm 602can be deployed when the toggle nose 136 actuates or biases the drivepin 110 of the tool arm 602 when the toggle component 132 is rotated inthe toggle rotational direction 504.

The spring 138 can pull the toggle component 132 in a first rotationaldirection 500 (e.g., a clockwise direction, see FIG. 5) when the foldingutility tool 600 is in a folded configuration 200 (see FIG. 2A). Thespring 138 can also pull the toggle component 132 in a second rotationaldirection 502 (e.g., a counterclockwise direction, see FIG. 5) when thefolding utility tool 600 is in an open configuration 204 (see FIG. 2D).In these embodiments, the first rotational direction 500 can be counterto the second rotational direction 502. The spring 138 can pull thetoggle component 132 in the second rotational direction 502 when thetoggle component 132 passes an over-center position 510 (see FIG. 5) inresponse to a force applied to the button top 134 by a user of thefolding utility tool 600 in the direction of the handle bottom 166. Thearcuate segment 140 of the spring 138 can partially surround orencompass the pivot pin 148 when the spring 138 pulls the togglecomponent 132 in the first rotational direction 500.

The handle 104 can further include at least one outer handle side 114(see FIG. 1). The toggle component can be positioned in between theouter handle side 114 and the first inner handle side 116.

The folding utility tool 600 can include a tool head 604 coupled to thetool arm 602. The tool head 604 can include a part of a screwdriver, afork, a spoon, a toothpick, a flossing tool, a corkscrew, a bottleopener, a file, a saw, or a can opener. The tool head 604 can be foldedinto the tool cavity when the folding utility tool 600 is in the foldedconfiguration 200.

The folding utility tool 600 can further include a locking slide bar 128coupled to a locking slide pin 130. The locking slide pin 130 canprevent the toggle component 132 from rotating when the locking slidepin 130 contacts and pushes against a locking notch 152 (see FIG. 1)defined along an edge of the toggle component 132.

The folding knife 100 of the present disclosure provides a technologicaladvancement in the safe operation of assisted-open folding knives. Forexample, the toggle component 132 permits a user to press on the buttontop 134 of the toggle component 132 to deploy the blade 102 of thefolding knife 100. The user is no long required to fumble with the blade102 or the tang 106 of the blade 102 in order to actuate theassisted-open mechanism.

The folding knife 100 of the present disclosures also provides a moreintuitive design for assisted-open folding knives. A user who has neverused the folding knife 100 can quickly figure out that the blade 102 ofthe folding knife 100 can be deployed by pressing down on the button top134 of the toggle component 132.

A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will beunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes andmodifications can be made to this disclosure without departing from thespirit and scope of the embodiments. Elements of systems, devices andmethods shown with any embodiment are exemplary for the specificembodiment and can be used in combination or otherwise on otherembodiments within this disclosure. Accordingly, other embodiments arewithin the scope of the following claims and the specification and/ordrawings may be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictivesense.

I claim:
 1. A folding utility tool, comprising: a handle comprising atleast two handle sides spaced apart and defining a tool cavitytherebetween; a tool arm pivotally connected to the handle, wherein thetool arm comprises a drive pin connected to and extending out from aside of the tool arm; a toggle component pivotally connected to at leastone of the at least two handle sides, wherein the toggle componentcomprises a retaining notch; and a spring comprising an arcuate segmentalong a longitudinal axis of the spring, wherein the spring is coupledto at least one of the at least two handle sides at one end and thetoggle component at another end, wherein the drive pin is positionedwithin the retaining notch when at least part of the tool arm is foldedinto the tool cavity.
 2. The folding utility tool of claim 1, furthercomprising: a clearance slot defined along at least one of the at leasttwo handle sides and at least part of the drive pin projects through theclearance slot; and the toggle component further comprises a button top,wherein the toggle component rotates in a toggle rotational direction inresponse to a force applied to the button top toward a handle bottom andthe tool arm is deployed out of the tool cavity in an arm rotationaldirection in response to the rotation of the toggle component, andwherein the toggle rotational direction is counter to the arm rotationaldirection.
 3. The folding utility tool of claim 2, wherein the retainingnotch is defined in part by a toggle nose of the toggle component andthe tool arm is deployed when the toggle nose actuates the drive pin ofthe tool arm when the toggle component is rotated in the togglerotational direction.
 4. The folding utility tool of claim 1, whereinthe spring pulls the toggle component in a first rotational directionwhen the folding utility tool is in a folded configuration and thespring pulls the toggle component in a second rotational direction whenthe folding utility tool is in an open configuration, and wherein thefirst rotational direction is counter to the second rotationaldirection.
 5. The folding utility tool of claim 4, wherein the springpulls the toggle component in the second rotational direction when thetoggle component passes an over-center position.
 6. The folding utilitytool of claim 4, wherein the arcuate segment of the spring partiallysurrounds the pivot pin when the spring pulls the toggle component inthe first rotational direction.
 7. The folding utility tool of claim 1,wherein the spring is a tension spring.
 8. The folding utility tool ofclaim 1, wherein the handle further comprises at least one outer handleside and the at least two handle sides are inner handle sides and thetoggle component is positioned in between the at least one outer handleside and one of the inner handle sides.
 9. The folding utility tool ofclaim 1, further comprising a tool head coupled to the tool arm, whereinthe tool head comprises a part of at least one of a screwdriver, a fork,a spoon, a toothpick, a flossing tool, a corkscrew, a bottle opener, anda can opener.
 10. The folding utility tool of claim 1, furthercomprising a locking slide bar coupled to a locking slide pin, whereinthe locking slide pin prevents the toggle component from rotating whenthe locking slide pin contacts a locking notch defined along an edge ofthe toggle component.